The University of Utah Singers (UU Singers) is the premier choral ensemble at the University of Utah. The ensemble was organized in 2003 by Dr. Brady R. Allred. Composed of approximately 45 voices, this ensemble performs repertoire from a wide range of musical styles and eras. In their short history, UU Singers has achieved both national and international acclaim, winning the Grand Prize at the 2005 Florilège Vocal de Tours International Choir Competition in Tours, France, winning the European Grand Prix Choral Competition in Tolosa, Spain in 2006, winning first prize at the 11th Marktoberdorf International Chamber Choir Competition in 2009, participating in the 19th Festival “Choralies de Vaison-la-Romaine” in France and the 37th Abu Gosh international vocal music festival near Jerusalem. The UU Singers has performed in concerts throughout England, France, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, Germany and Israel on five international concert tours, and has appeared on French national television at the Nancy International Choir Festival.
In addition to their international appearances, UU Singers has been invited to perform at division and national conventions of the American Choral Directors Association and Music Educators National Conference, and has been featured locally at state events, such as the inauguration of Governor Olene S. Walker, the 2004 opening session of the Utah State Senate and the dedication ceremony of the Marriott Library with former first lady Laura Bush. They have collaborated with the Grammy Award-winning Kronos Quartet and also collaborate regularly with Utah-based groups, including the 23rd Army Band, the Salt Lake Choral Artists, the Brigham Young University Singers and Concert Choir, and the University of Utah Philharmonia, Wind Ensemble, A Cappella Choir, and Women’s Choir. They have performed in the Salt Lake Tabernacle, the Assembly Hall on Temple Square, and the Cathedral of the Madeleine.
UU Singers has premiered several new works, including William Hawley’s “Flos ut rosa Floruit,” for which they received a prize for the best new work at the Tours competition. In 2007, they were selected by the Barlow Endowment for Music Composition to premiere Judith Bingham’s “Ghost Towns of the American West” as part of an international performing consortium of choirs which included VocalEssence and the BBC Singers. In February 2009, Singers premiered new commission "Hail Holy Light" by Nancy Wertsch, in April 2009, Singers premiered new commission "Endless Song" by Imant Raminsh, and in 2010 "Pa Kin Kin" by Guido Lopez Gavilan. The choir performs at Libby Gardner Concert Hall several times a year and has also been featured on 10 solo recordings.
Since Dr. Allred's retirement from the University at the end of 2010, this now 28-voice ensemble has been conducted by interim visiting professor Barlow Bradford. Dr. Allred continues his work full time serving as the artistic director and conductor of the Salt Lake Choral Artists and Salt Lake Vocal Artists, and continues to make guest conducting appearances all over the world.
Read more about University Of Utah Singers: Performances, Awards and Events, Recordings
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